I aspire to be a writer, but I know that there are no words I can find to express just how I feel.

Every year, our 8th graders vote on two teachers to whom the school yearbook will be dedicated.

I've written before (here and here) about just how much I love this 8th grade class. As individuals and as a group, they are unusually sweet, fun, and talented. They have left an enormous imprint on my spirit and healed my heart. Together for three years now, we have laughed and cried and laughed and grown.

If you have taught you know how deep and how beautiful the love can be between a teacher and students. If you haven't, then I don't know how to describe it. When it all works, then there is a profound connection that you feel soul-to-soul.

Well, they dedicated the yearbook to me. Today was the assembly where they announced it. They wrote and read a sweet little ode to me (Note: the dedication picture is of me during our fall play this year, Cats. If you wonder how a highly respectable almost-middle-aged-man came to be in cat makeup publicly, you can click here and scroll down.)

It would be an honor to be chosen on any occasion, but to be chosen by this group is immensely satisfying to me. It caps off a really wonderful year.

I'll write more about this later because there are actually some interesting theological points that occur to me. But right now, I just want to savor it.

Braden that makes me want to cry! I completely understand the tender feelings a teacher can feel for their students. I teach Special Ed Preschool and although, I highly doubt they'll ever dedicate a book to me, I love how each day they shout out our names and greet us with big hugs as they step off the bus.

That is wonderful!!! Congratulations to you. It's a bee-U-tiful honor!

Reply

Sam Gregory

5/25/2010 10:13:53 am

Dr. Bell, You are an awesome teacher and i know i speak for our entire class when i say that we will all miss you when were off to high schools next year. You deserved this award and we were all very proud to give it to you.